Following a decade at the forefront of pop music, Charli XCX has returned with a new project that incorporates rock elements into her signature sound. Despite initially planning a hiatus after the success of her era-defining album Brat—which influenced everything from presidential campaigns to dictionary definitions—the singer found herself back in the studio after a burst of unexpected inspiration.
Her latest release, titled Music, Fashion, Film, features 11 concise, guitar-driven tracks that navigate the complexities of the past two years. Unlike her previous work, this album intentionally shifts away from purely dance-oriented compositions. Charli clarified that while guitars define the sonic landscape, this is not a traditional rock album; rather, it reflects her desire to evolve as an artist and avoid stagnation.
The album art features an iconic black-and-white portrait of John Cale, Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese, symbolizing the record’s focus on artistic excellence and longevity. This theme is further explored through a collaboration with filmmaker David Cronenberg, whose thoughts on the nature of artistic legacy close the album.
Lyrically, the album examines the friction between Charli’s public persona and her private life. Tracks like SS26 and I’m Afraid address the intense pressure on celebrities to conform to moral expectations and the anxieties surrounding personal commitments. Throughout the project, Charli utilizes minimalism and raw, demo-like production to convey these themes, successfully marking her transition beyond the expectations set by her previous chart-topping success.